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Toyota Prius Tire/Wheel Questions

86 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2009 at 12:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Tires, Wheels, Hatchback, Sedan

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#77 of 86 Use of Chains by swethog Oct 28, 2009 (11:43 am)
Can you use chains in snow and ice? Or should you get studded tires..Also in replacement tires, can you go a size larger than original? Replies to this message: hihostevo (Oct 28, 2009 1:38 pm) snowboarder4 (Oct 30, 2009 2:20 am) hihostevo (Oct 31, 2009 8:51 am)
#79 of 86 Re: Use of Chains [swethog] by hihostevo Oct 28, 2009 (1:38 pm)
Replying to: swethog (Oct 28, 2009 11:43 am) I am curious about snow operation with the Prius also. I have had a 2008 model for two years, but only operated it in desert conditions (Las Vegas)... mostly dry with occasional rain.   I recently bought a low mileage 2005 model that I have up in Utah (approaching snow time). The previous owner put a set of Big O's top of the line tires on it even though it only had 22000 miles on it.   I am curious how these tires will fair in winter driving... I have heard good things about the Michelin Hydro-Edge in snow and slush, and of course there are the pure winter tires like the Blizzak and Xice2.   I am quite curious as to what most of you folks do who live in the part of the country where there is that "white stuff." Replies to this message: snowboarder4 (Oct 30, 2009 2:20 am) hihostevo (Oct 31, 2009 8:51 am)
#80 of 86 Re: What Do the Plastic Wheel Covers Do? [bioman] by 63pro Oct 29, 2009 (12:34 pm)
Replying to: bioman (Oct 15, 2009 4:06 pm) Hi, brand new to this forum, but your situation is also one of mine. I recently damaged a wheel cover on my new 2010 Prius via a car wash, and was pleasantly surprised by the good looking alloys that were underneath the covers. I wanted to put the center caps on, but found them quite expensive from Toyota. You mentioned you purchased center caps. If you don't mind, can you tell me where you got the center caps and how much you paid. My Toyota dealer is asking about $70 for for small plastic caps. Thanks for your help. Replies to this message: bioman (Oct 30, 2009 4:18 am) 63pro (Oct 30, 2009 6:58 am)
#81 of 86 Re: Use of Chains [hihostevo] by snowboarder4 Oct 30, 2009 (2:20 am)
Replying to: hihostevo (Oct 28, 2009 1:38 pm) I do not believe that you provided enough information concerning your use of a vehicle in Utah. I live beside the I-70 at Vail Pass. I have never felt the need for either chains or studs. I bought a 2007 Prius and replaced the factory tires with an All-Season Radial from Big O after only 22,000 miles.   My previous vehicle had AWD. I notice no less traction with my Prius. When I drove snowplow for CDOT, I usually had 20 vehicles in the ditch each shift on six percent grade in every snowstorm. I never had a problem with my vehicle. The people in the ditch were always driving at excessive speed for conditions. I climbed down an embankment to one car and felt for tread. There was none.   The disadvantage of using chains is that you can only travel a maximum of 35 MPH. That is why you will almost never see chains on a snowplow. They need to be able to drive faster than that to keep up with the storms. Now, I drive the county buses. Again, never chains. The buses need to travel at highway speed to maintain a schedule.   Studs are nice where state laws allow the use. Studs destroy roads. Only use them if you actually find a necessity for them. Parts of rural Idaho, for example, do not plow roads or salt down to pavement. However, my observations in Utah during a snowstorm were of excellent snowplow equipment, better than the equipment in Colorado. Road conditions were outstanding. Therefore, I would not invest in anything but an All Season Radial. If that gives you actual trouble at speeds of 35 MPH in one of your snowstorms, then experiment with Dedicated Snow Tires ~ studs ~ and chains or socks. Replies to this message: hihostevo (Oct 31, 2009 8:51 am)
#82 of 86 Re: What Do the Plastic Wheel Covers Do? [63pro] by bioman Oct 30, 2009 (4:18 am)
Replying to: 63pro (Oct 29, 2009 12:34 pm) I purchased the replacement wheel cover and the center caps for my 2010 Prius from http://www.centercaps.com. The parts are used but more than acceptable. The center caps I ordered were actually for the 2009 Prius. They fit my 2010 Prius' wheels. They are metal and cost 12.99 each. I am still using the wheel covers because I doing a mpg test to see if there is any difference riding with and without the plastic wheel covers. I plan to switch over to the center caps this weekend. I'll keep them on the car for a couple of months. If I find no difference in mpg, I'll probably keep the center caps on the car. Replies to this message: 63pro (Oct 30, 2009 6:58 am)
#83 of 86 Re: What Do the Plastic Wheel Covers Do? [bioman] by 63pro Oct 30, 2009 (6:58 am)
Replying to: bioman (Oct 30, 2009 4:18 am) Thanks for your help and info. I know what to do now.
#84 of 86 Bridgestone Ecopia by bob104 Oct 30, 2009 (6:48 pm)
Just got a set of Bridgestone Ecopia's installed on my 08Prius Touring. According to the readout I'm getting a good 2-3 mpg better than with the now-bald factory Bridgestone Turanzas. Perhaps a calibration error. I'll provide a better report after I carefully measure the mpg at the pump, but it's looking like this is a very good tire. They ride fine, a bit squishy on the corners, no experience with rain (this being CA), $535 for a set of four OTD in CA, a good $250 less than the Turanzas.
#85 of 86 Re: Use of Chains [snowboarder4] by hihostevo Oct 31, 2009 (8:51 am)
Replying to: snowboarder4 (Oct 30, 2009 2:20 am) Thank you very much for your reply. My home is on the "bench" down in Utah County, so I do have a bit of hill to negotiate going to and from home. As I am on the West side of the street I do have a flat driveway which is a plus.   When I went by the Big O tire store... to get information on the tires on my '05 Prius I asked them if they were something "special" for winter driving, but they said no it was just their top-of-the-line all season tire.   I have been considering purchasing an extra set of wheels and mounting a pair of Michelin's Xice2 tires or possible the Blizzak's from Bridgestone. Either that or switching over to Michelin's Hydro-Edge tires and then taking the Big O tires down to my '08 Prius in Vegas.   However it sounds like as long as I don't drive like a maniac that these Big O tires should work fine, thank you for your assistance.
#86 of 86 Winter Hazards by snowboarder4 Oct 31, 2009 (12:13 pm)
Best wishes with the all-season-radials. Yesterday, one of our snowplows was crossing Dillon Dam and triggered the anti-terrorist barriers installed by the Denver Water Board, destroying the plow truck and sending the driver to the hospital, so sliding into the ditch in winter is not the worst that can happen to you in a snowstorm.

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